Endodontic Therapy

In the past, if you had a damaged or diseased tooth, it usually was pulled. But today, injured or diseased teeth often can be saved with endodontic therapy, also known as root canal treatment.

Endodontics is a specialized type of dentistry that deals with abnormal tooth pulp; the causes/origins, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases and injuries to the pulp; and other conditions affecting the tissues surrounding the pulp and canal (channel inside the tooth root). Tooth pulp, the soft tissue that contains nerves, blood vessels and connective tissues, runs through the hard tissue inside the tooth (dentin) and extends from the crown (top) of the tooth down to the tip of the root in the jaw bone.

Endodontic Procedures

Endodontic procedures are used in the diagnosis and treatment of oral pain involving the pulp and periradicular area (just outside or around the root of the tooth origin). Pulp therapy, such as pulpotomy, is a common endodontic procedure in which dental pulp is removed from the pulp chamber. The nonsurgical treatment of root canals, especially in difficult cases such as teeth with blocked, narrow or unusually positioned canals, also is a major part of endodontic therapy.

Endodontic treatment may also be required for surgical removal of diseased or abnormal (pathologic) tissues, repair procedures associated with the surgical removal of pathologic tissues, repair of cracked teeth or the replacement (replantation) of teeth knocked out (avulsed) by injury.

Additional endodontic procedures include:

Surgical removal of tooth structure, such as an apicoectomy, or root-end resection (the removal of the root tip and the surrounding infected tissue of an abscessed tooth), hemisection (the process of cutting a tooth with two roots in half) and bicuspidization (procedure to change tricuspid valve into a functioning bicuspid valve)

Root-end filling

Endodontic implants, which extend through the root canal into the periapical bone structure (tip or apex of the root of a tooth), whereas other types of tooth implants are anchored directly in the gums or jawbones

Bleaching of dentin and enamel

Retreatment of teeth previously treated endodontically

Placement of posts and/or cores to save and strengthen teeth

Signs and Symptoms of Endodontic Problems

You may need endodontic treatment if you experience the following:

Significant tooth discomfort or pain

Prolonged tooth sensitivity to hot and cold

Gum tenderness to the touch and when chewing

Swelling

Tooth discoloration

Drainage and tenderness in the lymph nodes, jaw bone and gingival tissues

If a root canal procedure is not performed, an abscess (infected pus pocket) can form at the tip of the tooth root that can be painful. Even if there is no pain, the bone holding the tooth in the jaw can be damaged.

When is Endodontic Treatment Appropriate?

Endodontic treatment is necessary when the dental pulp becomes inflamed or infected as a result of deep tooth decay, repeated dental procedures on the tooth or a crack, chip or other injury to the tooth. Most teeth can be saved by endodontic treatment.

Tooth extraction is not necessary unless:

Roots are severely fractured

The tooth does not have adequate bone support

The tooth cannot be restored

Root canals are not accessible

Who and What is Involved with Root Canal Treatment?

A general dentist can perform root canal treatment, but it is most often provided by an endodontist, who specializes in pulp problems.

The endodontist removes the inflamed/infected pulp, cleans and shapes the inside of the canal and fills and seals the space. Afterwards, the endodontist usually will refer you back to your dentist for placement of a crown or other restoration on the tooth to protect it. The restored tooth will have a natural appearance and continue to function like other healthy teeth. With proper oral care, it may last a lifetime.

The cost of endodontic treatment varies depending on the complexity of the condition and which tooth is affected. Most dental insurance plans provide some coverage for endodontic treatment.

Endodontic treatment and restoration generally are less costly than the alternative: tooth extraction and replacement with an implant and dental crown.